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Jake Bennett struck out seven over his six innings and
Wallace Clark drove in four runs to lead the Oklahoma baseball team to a 15-1 series-opening victory over West Virginia Friday evening at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
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Jackson Nicklaus put the Sooners (30-17, 12-7 Big 12) on the board with a solo home run in the third inning, and OU put up crooked numbers in five of the next six frames. Clark's four RBIs set a season high for the freshman.
Brett Squires drove in four runs, including a two-run double with the bases loaded in the fifth inning, and
Kendall Pettis hit two RBI singles.
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"Our hitters are separating balls and strikes," Oklahoma head coach
Skip Johnson said. "That and coming up with big hits was the difference tonight. Squires got a big hit with bases loaded, and it really separated the game. We had some really good at bats in there and got good pitches to hit. I thought Jake was really good. He set the tone in the first inning. That's a good offense and they can put a lot of pressure on a defense."
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Bennett (5-3) rolled through the WVU lineup, retiring the eight batters of the game, walking none and allowing one unearned run. The Mountaineers (29-19, 10-9 Big 12) scored their only run in the fifth inning with the aid of two errors. Bennett limited the damage by ending the inning with two ground outs and a strikeout.
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Oklahoma responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend its lead to 10-1. The Sooners totaled 14 hits and drew 10 walks in the ballgame. It was the eighth time this season OU has collected 10 or more walks in a game.
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Nicholas Andrews relieved Bennett to start the seventh inning and struck out his first four batters and faced the minimum in two frames, inducing a double play to end the eighth inning.
Aaron Calhoun retired the side in order in the ninth, ending the game with a strikeout.
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The Sooners and Mountaineers continue the series at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mitchell Park. Saturday is "Country Day" and fans can receive a free OU baseball bolo tie upon entry while supplies last.